This Fourth of July... Drink What the Founding Fathers Drank

Madeira has a fascinating history and is well known for being the dominate “toasting” wine option for our nation’s Founding Fathers. To begin with, the island of Madeira served as a well-known port for various shipping routes going to and from the New World. England had specific legislation (“The British Navigation Act”) in place that ultimately prevented the exportation of wine (and other goods) to British colonies in the New World, unless it came on a British vessel and originated from a British port of call. However, the island of Madeira was exempt from this pesky law and Madeira became a “staple” wine on the vessels bound for the American colonies.

Madeira was soon to become one of the Founding Father’s favorite wines to toast such monumental occasions as the Declaration of Independence, Washington’s inauguration, the celebration of establishing Washington D.C. as the nation’s capital and so on. What is really fascinating about Madeira, is that for a price, you can still acquire a Madeira that has a vintage date back to the colonial era! Find one at the Rare Wine Co.